An Arizona man says he was trapped in his Tesla in the extreme heat after the power died and he didn’t know how to escape.
Investigators at Scripps News Phoenix found dozens of drivers have filed complaints with federal auto safety regulators who are urging car owners to learn how to manually get out in an emergency.
“It’s definitely a safety concern; it was one of the hotter days,” said 73-year-old Rick Meggison.
He said he was stuck in his Tesla Model Y in his garage back in June.
“I couldn’t open the doors. I couldn’t lower the windows. The computer was dead, so I couldn’t open the glove box. I couldn’t open anything.” Meggison said his main lithium-ion battery, what’s needed to propel his electric car, had plenty of range.
He later learned a separate 12-volt battery in his Tesla Model Y died after he opened the door, and he said he was trapped inside on a 100° day for 20 minutes. The low-voltage battery powers what’s inside a Tesla including the doors, computer display, and windows.
“Being caught in there for a couple hours could be dangerous,” he said.
scrippsnews.com/stories/driver-says-he-was-trapped-in-hot-tesla-after-battery-died/?